Game: Distraction

Submitted by prenner on Sun, 06/26/2016 - 14:26

Distraction is a card game that helps players improve their working memory skills while having fun.

Working Memory is an essential skill for reading and learning. A child must learn how to decipher, retain, and combine letters into words in order to read smoothly and spell, and a strong working memory helps the child develop these skills.

Dyslexic children can have weak working memories, which contribute to their difficulties with piecing together letters and words into a fluid reading experience. There are many exercises and games that may help strengthen a child’s working memory; one fun game is “Distraction.” Players take turns drawing numbered cards, and must recite all previous drawn numbers in order to stay in the game—an exercise for their short-term memory. If a player draws a “Distraction” card, he or she must answer an unrelated question before trying to recite back the numbers. The more a child plays, the more he or she is strengthening working memory skills!

Visit Understood.com’s “8 Fun Games That Can Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills” to learn more about the game “Distraction.”